Famous Diamonds, By Eli Mirzoeff

For centuries, diamonds have been one of the most desirable gemstones in the world. The following is some information about two of the most famous diamonds in history:

1. The Cullinan Diamond, or the Star of Africa, is the largest diamond in the world. Discovered in 1905 in South Africa, the diamond weighs in at 3,106 metric carats and is more than 10 centimeters long. Nine principal stones were cut from the Cullinan Diamond, which are part of the Crown Jewels.

2. The Hope Diamond has a long and interesting history. The diamond was discovered in the Kollur Mine in Golconda, India, and one of its first owners was Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, who sold it to King Louis XIV of France in 1668. The diamond stayed with French royalty until it was stolen in 1792 during the French revolution. For the next 150 years, the diamond would pass through many owners and be recut and reset many times. In 1958, it was donated to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., and has remained there ever since.

About Eli Mirzoeff:Eli Mirzoeff is the founder of East Continental Gems, Inc. Since its beginning in 1972, the family-run business has provided service to fine jewelry stores and major stores worldwide.